THE inspirational child behind the £1 million appeal to build a new children’s hospice in the borough received a special surprise.

Staff from Bury Hospice visited two-year-old Grace Tinarwo at her home in Kirkholt, Rochdale, over the festive break to deliver presents donated by friends of the centre.

Grace has given her name to Grace’s Place, the children’s hospice currently being developed on the site of the old Bury Hospice in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.

Bury Hospice chief executive Jacqui Comber said she was grateful for the kindness of the public in donating gifts to the youngster.

She said: “Grace has captured the hearts of the public since the launch of our appeal last month.

“A special mention should also go to the staff of Currys and PC World in Oldham who made sure Grace’s 12-year-old sister Shalom didn’t miss out by granting her wish for an iPad.

"The Tinarwos are a remarkable family and Shalom is such a great help to her parents.

“She was absolutely thrilled.”

Grace has chromosomal abnormality Patau Syndrome, caused when the body’s cells contain extra genetic material.

The condition causes such serious problems that most babies with the condition do not survive birth, with the majority of those that do only living for a few days.

This means she has complex needs and will benefit from the expert care Grace’s Place, the 50th children’s hospice in the country, will provide.

In November, the appeal was launched by radio DJ Sara Cox to raise £1 million for the centre, which will provide palliative and end of life care for children in Radcliffe, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton.

It will look after youngsters suffering from cancers, neurological and genetic illnesses and mental and physical disabilities and is set to open this autumn.

For more information or to make a donation: go to graces-place.org